Reply by CharlieM1958

In the terminology Minwax uses, the yellow cans marked “wood finish” are oil based stains. The white cans marked “wood stain” are water based stains. I prefer the oil-based myself. The water-based stains, as Lis said, are easy to clean up, but they tend to raise the grain.

The polycrylic is a water-based clear finish. It gives a more colorless finish than oil-based clear finishes, which tend to be a bit yellowish in color.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"